Health Tip: Discuss Weight With Your Child

Teach good habits and a healthy approach

(HealthDay News) -- Talking about weight with your child can be difficult, but it's important to foster a healthy attitude toward weight and eating.

The American Dietetic Association offers these suggestions for having this discussion:

  • If your son or daughter is overweight, encourage the child to take action to lose weight. Take steps toward this end as a family, so your child doesn't feel isolated.
  • Never bribe or punish your child to lose weight.
  • Make sure both parents and other family members agree on how to best handle weight issues, so the message to the child is clear and consistent.
  • Talk to your child's doctor about weight.
  • Seek help from local programs or professionals who can help your child deal with weight issues.
Diana Kohnle

Related Articles

Learn More About Sharp
Sharp HealthCare is San Diego's health care leader with seven hospitals, two medical groups and a health plan. Learn more about our San Diego hospitals, choose a Sharp-affiliated San Diego doctor or browse our comprehensive medical services.

Health News is provided as a service to Sharp Web site users by HealthDay. Sharp HealthCare nor its employees, agents, or contractors, review, control, or take responsibility for the content of these articles. Please read the Terms of Use for more information.